The Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair stands out with its unique canopy to provide shade. It was a little jerky to set up, but we did appreciate our own little shade that kept us from baking in the sun. The one other really unique feature we saw was the cooler in the armrest of the Coleman, which fits four 12-ounce cans and some ice. The Coleman Cooler Quad is a pretty standard camping-style chair at first glance, but it has a few tricks up its sleeve. Notably, the left armrest unzips to reveal a cooler pouch that can fit up to four cans, while the right armrest sports a cup holder. There is also an accessory pouch on the right side of the chair for extra storage.
Schoolhouse offers its own exclusive take on a vintage-style folding lawn chair, and this Schoolhouse rocks (pun intended). While the dimensions are different (this is larger), this chair is very similar to Lawn Chair USA’s. Both feature an aluminum frame, a 225-lb weight limit and are made in the USA. What mostly sets them apart are the striking color combinations that Schoolhouse has cooked up here.
For an ultra lightweight chair that’s ready to make your hiking breaks a breeze, opt for the Helinox Chair Zero. It has two open panels in the seat back for breathability, and when packed up in its ripstop polyester stuff sack, it’s totally tiny. This is a perfect option for throwing in a tote or backpack to take to the park and on hikes.
We found this model to be slightly more comfortable and easier to pack than other, similar chairs. The luxury of having a comfortable seat while camping or lounging in your backyard can add a lot to the outdoor experience. In addition to making relaxing, eating, and drinking more comfortable, you can maximize your lounging enjoyment.
We gave the Lawn Chair USA Webbing Chair a high score here because of how light it is (around four pounds) and how flat it folds. Some of the other chairs, especially the zero gravity chairs, are best as patio furniture, as they don’t pack down that small and typically weigh 15 or more pounds. Outdoor furniture is not one size fits all, so think carefully about outdoor patio shades your unique needs before committing to a style. Shorties (like yours truly) may be uncomfortable in seats that are too high to rest their feet on the ground while their backs are flush against the chair. A few of the lightweights we tested were cozy enough to sleep in for some campers, while others found them to be too narrow to comfortably fit their shoulders.
Our expert loungers spent hours sitting in each chair, taking them from the beach to the backyard and many places in between to assess their portability, comfort, and longevity. Scrolling through pages of chairs can be time-consuming and exhausting, so we put together patio furniture sets this in-depth and independent review to help you find the best lawn chair for your needs. While those aforementioned chairs admittedly share some crossover with lawn chairs, what sets lawn chairs apart is their combination of style, casual readiness and comfort.
As nice and comfortable as zero gravity chairs are, they are quite heavy. They’re not as portable as the camping-style chairs; this one is heavier and doesn’t pack down nearly as small. If you’re packing it in your car and space is tight, you might wish you had a smaller chair.
It also lacks a headrest, so it’s not the ideal chair for an afternoon snooze. On the other hand, we think this model will stand up to all of your needs for camping, tailgating, fishing, or anything else. If you need a comfy chair or use a camping-specific chair regularly and don’t mind a bit of bulk, we highly recommend the King Kong. The material is also plasticky and heats up underneath us after sitting for a while, which leaves something to be desired.